Pingtung Academy Introduction
In 1815 (the 20th year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty), Wu Xingcheng, the deputy magistrate of Tamsui County, along with tribute student Guo Cui and Lin Mengyang, initiated the construction of the Pingtung Academy (also known as the Confucius Temple) to promote local cultural and educational development. Although the academy has undergone multiple relocations and renovations, it still retains the original layout of lecture halls, worship halls, and dormitories, fully showcasing the spatial characteristics of traditional academies. It is a historical building with deep roots in Pingtung and the only academy building in the area. The Pingtung Academy was initially built in what is now Zhongshan Park, comprising 36 dormitories, with a lecture hall at the front and a rear hall dedicated to the worship of Wenchang Dijun, Chengzi, and Zhouzi, among others. In 1895 (the 21st year of the Guangxu era), the Pingtung Academy was transformed into a Confucius Temple, primarily worshiping Confucius, along with Mencius, Yan Hui, Zengzi, and other great sages, as well as prominent scholars like Zhouzi, Zhuzi, Cheng Yi, Cheng Hao, and Zhangzi. However, due to a lack of funding for repairs, the temple gradually fell into disrepair. In 1937, during Japanese rule in Taiwan, there were plans to relocate the Confucius Temple, but following calls from Japanese scholars for preservation, it was dismantled and relocated to its current site on Victory Road, adhering to the original design of the academy. However, after the move, there was a long period during which the temple was not actively maintained, leading to its deteriorating condition again. It wasn't until the 66th year of the Republic, when the then-Pingtung County magistrate invited renowned architect Han Baode to oversee restoration plans, that the temple was finally restored to its former appearance in the 68th year of the Republic. After the reconstruction, the temple's courtyard area was expanded, connecting the front and rear halls with pavilions. The main hall was renamed Dacheng Hall, and the rear hall transformed into Chongsheng Shrine, with an additional single-sloped corridor built and a wall inscribed with "Jiu Ren Gong Qiang." Furthermore, four stele were preserved to showcase the construction history of the academy. In the 74th year of the Republic, Pingtung Academy was listed as a national third-level historical site, recognized for its significant cultural value and well-preserved historical character.
